I Became a Captain of the British Empire - I Became a Captain of the British Empire chapter 109

Battle of Makassar Strait (1)

February 4, 1931. Strait of Makassar.

Task Force Z’s 11th Destroyer Squadron Flagship “Acasta”.

Captain Woodward, who was in overall command of the four destroyers, looked around with binoculars with an uncomfortable face.

A night when the moon is obscured by clouds.

A cold wave quietly pounded the deck.

The destroyer team opened fire and opened fire. Of course, nothing can be seen above the sea.

After exhaling an annoyed sigh, the captain bit his lip and said.

“Damn it, how are you supposed to fight in a situation like this?”

“Isn’t that for close combat? Like Tunis.”

“If I did that one more time, my body would be cut into 5 parts. navigating officer.”

The scream of a steel block in my head.

He clearly remembered the image of the destroyer sinking with its hull crushed above the burning night sea.

It’s a terrible experience that I don’t want to recall again.

“I’d rather it pass without incident.”

A cold wind passed over the open-air bridge.Make sure to read from noble mtl dot com

Phew—the captain let go of a sigh, and eventually tilted his head through the window on the floor.

“Yes, Correspondent. There is no contact from the main unit?”

“Yes, yep! I can’t hear anything!”

The second lieutenant of the communications officer raised his head with a bewildered face and answered in a loud voice. The captain looked at him for a moment and then frowned.

“… Are you sure?”

“yep?”

“Are you sure? Did you really get nothing?”

A hard-faced communicator. answer with a frown

“Yes, I guess… .”

“What is ‘same’?! Aren’t you talking straight?”

“Yes, yep! There was no contact! Nothing more than a communication room!”

After a while, he stiffens his body and shouts.

The captain looked down at the communications center with pitiful eyes before long nodding his head and asking.

“Hey, Correspondent. What did you say your name was?”

“Donald… This is Donald McIntyre.”

The new communications officer who transferred from the Furious Air Corps answered that. The captain spoke in a pitiful, yet frustrated voice.

“Okay, Mr. MacIntyre. I don’t know what you said to the admiral and why you stayed here, but since you’ve joined our destroyer team, don’t even think about leaving. Do you know what I mean?”

“Yes, I understand.”

The answer is good. At the same time, the action has a blind corner.

From what I heard, it seems that he can no longer fly due to an injury. However, he did not want to leave the fleet, so he said that he was transferred here inevitably.

‘But why do recruits come at a time like this?’

It is a battle of destroyers that one does not know what will happen even if one person does their part. The fate of the weakest in naval warfare. But, of course, he’s a new recruit at this time!

Shaking his head and straightening his back, he sighed as he spoke to the captain standing next to him.

“Sometimes, I don’t know what the Admiral is thinking.”

“Isn’t that what you meant?”

“Was the encounter in Tunis his will? Great design, very.”

To the sarcastic tone, the navigator did not hesitate to reply.

No matter who sees it, the surprise attack in Tunis was an unexpected crisis. Of course, the admiral managed to get through that somehow.

Because of this, even if they are dissatisfied, they do not refuse orders.

“Anyway, I hope the battlecruiser will do well.”

The captain turned his head, gritted his teeth, and looked at the black background behind him. In the midst of the pitch-black field of vision, a gigantic outline swayed at first glance.

* * *

At the same time, Task Force Z’s flagship ‘Repulse’.

Watchmen watching everywhere with binoculars. However, the sea without moonlight is darkness itself.

“Strait, it is still quiet. Are you really coming?”

The lieutenant whispered in an anxious voice.

He had a very displeased face and always looked nervous.

It was the same for all of the Repulse crew.

So I deliberately smiled and answered.

“Let’s see if I forgot to eat a late-night snack. don’t worry and wait They are supposed to come.”

If you don’t come, this is the plan to find you.

First of all, according to the report of the Malaysian Air Corps, there was no return flight to Manila.

That means the fleet is still hovering in Philippine waters.

“Admiral, your field of vision is very narrow. I can’t see more than 4 km.”

“I hope the destroyers succeed in early warning.”

The two battlecruisers, sailing at low speed, stationed in the middle of the strait, both have their guns lined up to port.

“As scheduled, if the destroyer spots it, it can open fire at 22 km.”

“Fire control is another matter, though.”

In an intense night battle situation, there is no way you can keep your distance at will.

“If you don’t, Repulse’s 15-inch guns could hit our destroyer.”

“But closing the distance further puts this ship at risk.”

The chief of staff answers with a frown. This is the problem.

There is no radar, so someone has to spot the enemy at close range. Therefore, there is a risk of friendly error. A ship infiltrating from the side using darkness as a shield cannot be ignored.

Are you putting the flagship at risk or sacrificing the destroyers ahead? You must choose one of these two. In the end, I chose the latter.

“I can’t. I can only hope that our destroyers do well.”

“Everyone will be fine. I am a veteran who has been with me from the Atlantic.”

Although the chief of staff spoke in a calm tone, it seems that even his voice could not be helped.

Of course, preparations were thorough.

In the foreground, two cruisers and one destroyer were deployed to provide early warning. The battlecruiser squadron spread out a single line and waited 10 nautical miles to the right.

The Furious at the southern end of the strait is cruising under the escort of a destroyer. After our fleet has beaten the enemy, we will launch aircraft in the morning to pursue and finish it off.

If the enemies move south, it’s a perfect herpes. It’s a night battle, so the narrow field of view is a problem, but the difference in power is huge, so I’ll be able to manage it somehow.

Even if there are some uneasy points, we have to destroy them here. If you reveal your location during the daytime, there is a possibility of running away from the other side early.

“Admiral! Join the frontline destroyer!”

As I was thinking, I heard an urgent voice.

“Observe the light source ahead! Defense 280! Distance about 5,000! Keep approaching with this ship!”

“Okay, get ready.”

What is to come has come.

A humming bridge. Binoculars all at once followed the direction of the destroyers. Soon after, a voice comes down from the Jeonseonggwan.

“Captain. Aim the main gun.”

“Do not shoot until I give orders.”

“Yes, Admiral.”

Repulse’s guns turned with a majestic roar.

A turret that oscillates on the deck and spins a huge gun. A gun barrel like a telephone pole aims at the port side. The same goes for Fumi’s Indipatigable.

After a while, flares flew from the left.

“Fire flares!”

“Start observing!”

pop-

Several destroyers appeared from the sea where the shadows were lifted.

A small flat-deck hull. It’s a look I haven’t seen in a long time. Of course, there was no time to get wet.

“Start fighting!”

“Leading Fleet Fire!”

Countless gunfire flashed over the sea.

A salvo that awakens sleep. A storm of 8-inch heavy guns fires against a black background.

“First shot firing! Target, enemy destroyer! Distance 15,000!”

A report heard with cheers.

Raising my binoculars, I saw a huge column of water rising from under the flare.

Enemy destroyers hurriedly spread out. The return fire from the 4-inch naval guns is pouring in this direction. All hulls are in good shape. It’s a night battle, so it’s hard to see hit bullets.

“Enemy fleet, smoke! Run away!”

The destroyer disappeared out of flare range in an instant. Countless water pillars covered the place where they were. It’s a nimble move.

“It’s not a normal skill level.”

“The number is estimated to be about four.”

“There must be more waiting. See if there are any more. Don’t spare the flares!”

pop-

Flashes of light again light up the night sky.

The lead cruiser turns on the searchlights and illuminates the water. Rays stuttering the sea. Eventually, a destroyer appears.

“Enemy destroyer spotted! Cruiser fleet, open fire!”

The 8-inch guns roar.

The destroyer, which encountered a volley, was quickly covered in gunfire.

explosion. and a burning hull.

The sound of ripping steel echoed all the way to Repulse’s bridge.

“Enemy destroyer sunk!”

“Where are the rest?”

“Currently being searched, there appear to be 6 ships.”

Only 6 destroyers. It is about the size of a single construction site. However, the flagship is still not visible.

“Are there any cruisers?”

“I don’t see it. Maybe it’s entering a different route… .”

“Look for it. Tell them to spread out the destroyers and pursue them.”

“yes? Then the ship’s direct cover… .”

The chief of staff opens his eyes wide as if in trouble.

I answered with a sigh.

“Trust the captains. If you allow them to escape under the cover of night, it will take time again. It has to end here.”

For every few days of delay, the home country must prepare for a long and bloody battle. So, the schedule is not that tight.

Of course, the risk is great.

The Italian Navy immediately demonstrated what happens to capital ships without an escort at night.

However, it is somewhat risky, but haven’t we somehow managed to overcome it in Tunis as well? The captains aboard the two battlecruisers are the future great admirals. You will do well this time too.

I muttered as I quietly touched my hands behind my back.

“Entrance in Cornwall! Additional Enemy Destroyers Found! Defense 330!”

“Shine the searchlight!”

The deck of a cruiser shooting flashes of light.

The shadow of the destroyer is revealed in the dark night sea. 3 ships in total. Turn the gun in this direction and fire back immediately.

“The battle begins!”

“Move our destroyers forward. Tell them to spread out and start the search.”

“Admiral, wouldn’t there be a risk of destroying each individual?”

“It’s okay if the only opponent is a destroyer. Because we have cruisers.”

Holding my breath, I continued.

“If an enemy cruiser appears, then fire.”

The chief of staff swallows dry saliva quietly. It’s dangerous, but it can’t be helped. Night battles are like that.

Flames flashing in the dark night sea.

Flaring bullets cut through the sky, and burning hulls lit up like lanterns on the surface of the water.

Flat-deck destroyers firing their main guns in rapid succession.

Through the binoculars, a 4-inch gun fired from the gun.

Even on the decks of our destroyers, intense gunfire flashes.

As expected, the power is limited because of the small caliber. They hit each other with bullets bit by bit, but they are not easily suppressed. Only the water column created by the rapid-fire cannon covered the hull.

“Dorsetshire, open fire.”

Kugung-

A lesser heavy cruiser fires supporting fire. Dorsetshire’s 8-inch guns roaring in unison.

Only a few hits hit, and in an instant the two destroyers exploded.

All are US Navy flat-deck destroyers. Several destroyers on this side were also hit by gunfire and were spitting smoke.

However, after all, the support of the cruiser is decisive.

Even in the midst of chaos, the charter was definitely the advantage of this side.

“Enemy destroyers have sunk 3 ships so far!”

“Don’t just assume what you see. I don’t know how many more there will be.”

Damn, there’s nothing to see, so I can’t judge. There are still ships pouring fire from outside the flare’s line of sight.

Flashing lights against a pitch-black background proved that guess.

Cornwall firing a volley following Dorsetshire. A destroyer approaching close explodes with a roar. 4th with this one.

Our two destroyers, under fire, broke away in smoke.

While watching the fierce night battle, a voice came down to the former castle hall.

“Admiral, when will our squadron enter the war?”

A slightly disgruntled voice. It seems dissatisfying to just watch the cruiser fleet in action. After all, no hunter can stand still with their prey in front of them.

But I shook my head and answered.

“Wait, Tobay. No enemy cruisers have been found yet.”

“Hasn’t it already run away? After identifying our formation with the destroyer fleet at the fore, we turned our course to find another route.”

is it? Now that I think about it, the look of the cruiser is too invisible. If we see a heavy cruiser from our side, it deserves to appear in response.

I picked up my binoculars again and looked out the window.

All I can still see is the destroyer fleet.

Above the orange water, only the flat-deck hull could be seen burning and splintering.

“… Maybe. Let’s get closer.”

Maybe, I misjudged.

“Squadron, course 330. Join the front row.”

Repulse, which had been quietly maneuvering all along, turned violently and tilted. A hull shaking the sea with heavy vibrations.

Now is the time for the 30,000-ton giant to lift its hips and rise.

“Admiral, how about reinforcing the security around you?”

“It should be. Let’s join the destroyers and advance to the border camp. If we start chasing now, we should be able to catch up before we leave the strait.”

In the morning, airstrikes should be able to tie down the enemy. Somehow, it is possible to destroy it by the next day.

Clenching my fists, I thought so.

“My, Admiral… ?”

“Something?”

“excuse me… .”

In the darkness of starboard pointed out by the chief of staff, until the cold outline was revealed.

“Enemy cruiser spotted on starboard side! Defense 030! Distance 3,000! Keep approaching with this ship!”

A voice that echoed like a scream.

As I turned my head, a blurry outline shimmered in the pitch-black darkness.

“… sh*t.”

A nimble light cruiser appeared in front of Repulse’s searchlight, which returned late.

Countless gunfire was clearly looking this way.